Butterfly and Dove release

A painted lady butterfly on the tip of a thumb at the Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson.

Anderson Independent Mail, S.C.

Tommy Lollis releases the first white homing pigeon at the Butterfly and Dove release at Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson. The bird, a descendant of the rock dove, is one of many provided by L.J. Meyers of Landrum, who has trained them to return to their home loft.

Anderson Independent Mail, S.C.

Melody McCoy watches white homing pigeons, a descendant of the rock dove, fly from their travel carrier during the 5th annual Butterfly and Dove release in Anderson.

Anderson Independent Mail, S.C.

Sarah Stewart of Anderson watches a painted lady butterfly rest on her finger before releasing it at the 5th annual Butterfly and Dove release at Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson.

Anderson Independent Mail, S.C.

Participants release white homing pigeons at the Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson.

Anderson Independent Mail, S.C.

Taylor Wilson of Anderson looks at a painted lady butterfly on his finger at the Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson.

Anderson Independent Mail, S.C.

A white homing pigeon is in a carrier before the Butterfly and Dove release at Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson.

Anderson Independent Mail, S.C.

Participants in the 5th annual Butterfly and Dove release take photographs and video of white homing pigeons at the Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson.

Anderson Independent Mail, S.C.

Participants release white homing pigeons at the Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson.

Anderson Independent Mail, S.C.

Chad Garrett of Anderson looks at a painted lady butterfly at the Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson. The event organizers took 340 reservations for a butterfly, each released in honor of someone. Garrett said he released one in memory of his uncle Roger Williams, who died last August.

Anderson Independent Mail, S.C.

A white homing pigeon is in a carrier before the Butterfly and Dove release at Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson.

Anderson Independent Mail, S.C.

L.J. Meyers, of Landrum, holds a white homing pigeon in a carrier before the Butterfly and Dove release at Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson. The bird, a descendant of the rock dove, is one of many trained to return to their home loft.

Anderson Independent Mail, S.C.

Participants release white homing pigeons at the Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson.

Anderson Independent Mail, S.C.

Participants in the 5th annual Butterfly and Dove release take photographs and video of white homing pigeons at the Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson.

Anderson Independent Mail, S.C.

Chad Garrett of Anderson looks at a painted lady butterfly at the Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson. The event organizers took 340 reservations for a butterfly, each released in honor of someone. Garrett said he released one in memory of his uncle Roger Williams, who died last August.

Anderson Independent Mail, S.C.

Leanne Cole-Cardwell looks at a painted lady butterfly on her finger at the Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson.

Anderson Independent Mail, S.C.

Participants release white homing pigeons at the Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson.

Anderson Independent Mail, S.C.

Participants release white homing pigeons at the Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson.

Anderson Independent Mail, S.C.

Malcolm Johnson of Anderson looks at a painted lady butterfly at the Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson. The event organizers took 340 reservations for a butterfly, each released in honor of someone. Johnson said he released one in memory of his grandfather Jessie Allen.

Anderson Independent Mail, S.C.

Walter Dacus and Melody McCoy watch white homing pigeons, a descendant of the rock dove, fly from their travel carrier during the 5th annual Butterfly and Dove release in Anderson.

Anderson Independent Mail, S.C.

Kathy Little, Hospice of the Upstate vice president of outreach and education, leads a crowd in reading a poem before releasing 340 lady painted butterflies.

Anderson Independent Mail, S.C.

A painted lady butterfly in a wax envelope before being released at the Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson.

Anderson Independent Mail, S.C.

A white homing pigeon is in a carrier before the Butterfly and Dove release at Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson.

Anderson Independent Mail, S.C.

Participants in the 5th annual Butterfly and Dove release take photographs and video of white homing pigeons at the Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson.

Anderson Independent Mail, S.C.

Participants in the 5th annual Butterfly and Dove release take photographs and video of white homing pigeons at the Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson.

Anderson Independent Mail, S.C.

Taylor Wilson of Anderson looks at a painted lady butterfly before releasing it at the Hospice of the Upstate in Anderson.